Clinical Concept of Malignant lymphoma in dogs and cats Flashcards
What is lymphoma in dogs?
Among the most frequently diagnosed malignancies in dogs.
It is the most commonly treated K9 tumor in medical oncology and is rarely cured.
What is the incidence of K9 lymphoma?
Estimated to be 13-114 per 100,000 dogs.
Lymphoma incidence in dogs has increased over time, similar to trends observed in humans.
What breeds are overrepresented in K9 lymphoma cases?
- Golden Retriever
- Rottweiler
- Border Collie
- Scottish Terrier
- Bullmastiff
- Am Staff
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Cocker Spaniel
- German Shepherd
- Irish Wolfhound
- Labrador Retriever
- Boxer
- Flat Coated Retriever
Some breeds are more prone to specific immunophenotypes, indicating a genetic predisposition.
What age groups are most affected by K9 lymphoma?
Middle-aged to older dogs, but juvenile dogs can also develop lymphoma.
Aggressive variants are particularly seen in younger dogs.
What environmental factors are associated with increased risk of lymphoma in dogs?
- Pollution
- Radioactive areas
- Household chemicals
Similar associations have been found in humans regarding lymphoma development.
What is the most common clinical presentation of K9 lymphoma?
The multicentric form affecting peripheral lymph nodes.
This form comprises approximately 75% of all lymphomas in dogs.
What are the stages of multicentric lymphoma in dogs?
- I - Limited to a single lymph node
- II - Several lymph nodes in a region
- III - Several lymph nodes on both sides of the diaphragm
- IV - Spleen and/or liver involvement
- V - Blood and/or bone marrow involvement
A substage indicates the presence or absence of systemic signs.
What is the primary treatment modality for K9 lymphoma?
Chemotherapy is considered the therapy of choice.
The goal is to extend remission time with minimal side effects.
What are the side effects associated with glucocorticoid treatment in dogs with lymphoma?
Can induce resistance to other drugs and require high doses leading to side effects.
A common regimen involves close to 2 mg/kg SID for 10-14 days.
True or False: There is a known viral cause for lymphoma in dogs.
False
A viral etiology is still not generally accepted in dogs.
What is the role of NSAIDs in treating K9 lymphoma?
Doubt exists regarding their efficacy, but some studies suggest they may prevent doxorubicin-induced multidrug resistance.
Grapiprant is a prostaglandin receptor antagonist that specifically blocks the EP₄ receptor.
What does PNS stand for in the context of lymphoma?
Paraneoplastic syndromes.
Includes conditions like hypercalcemia and immune-mediated diseases.
Fill in the blank: The most common clinical presentation of K9 lymphoma is the _______.
multicentric form.
What are the diagnostic tools used for staging canine multicentric lymphoma?
- Clinical pathology
- Diagnostic imaging
- Cytology
- Histology
- Immunophenotyping
- PCR-based techniques
Each diagnostic tool plays a role in confirming and staging the lymphoma.
What is the expected remission time with multidrug chemotherapy for K9 lymphoma?
Around one year.
The balance between side effects and drug efficacy is crucial.
What is the prognosis for hepatic lymphoma in dogs?
Very poor prognosis.
Hepatic lymphoma is rare in dogs.
What drugs are often combined with oral prednisolone in treatment protocols?
lomustine or chlorambucil (oral), vincristine, doxorubicin
These drugs are part of multidrug treatment protocols.
What does the CHOP protocol consist of?
5 cycles of doxorubicin
CHOP is a common chemotherapy regimen used in treating lymphomas.
What is a rescue protocol in the context of lymphoma treatment?
A new treatment started when relapse occurs, usually using drugs from another group to avoid resistance
This is necessary due to the occurrence of multiple resistance at relapse.
What is the most common side effect of chemotherapy?
Neutropenia
Neutropenia is dose-limiting and increases the risk for sepsis.
What is important to know about different drugs regarding toxicity?
Different drugs have different nadir
This knowledge helps to avoid overlap in toxicity.
What type of toxicity is typically associated with lomustine?
Liver toxicity
Monitoring liver function is crucial during treatment.
What percentage of cases experience gastrointestinal toxicity?
Approximately 30%
Grading gastrointestinal toxicity is important for management.
What is standard care to reduce gastric toxicity during chemotherapy?
Antiemetics prior to infusion and four days after
This practice has significantly reduced gastric toxicity.
What is the recommended approach for indolent lymphomas?
Carefully monitored rather than treated
This is to avoid unnecessary interventions in low-risk cases.
What is the typical treatment for splenic marginal zone lymphoma?
Splenectomy
Splenectomy is often the only treatment required for this indolent disease.
What is the typical prognosis for small breed female dogs with lymphoma?
Better prognosis
Prognosis varies significantly based on signalment and substage.
What locations of lymphoma have a worse prognosis?
Extranodal locations
Mediastinal, CNS, renal, skin, and GI-lymphoma are particularly poor prognostic indicators.
What is the common response to chemotherapy in small cell lymphocytic GI-lymphoma in cats?
Usually responds well, survival commonly around 1.5-2 years
This indicates the effectiveness of chemotherapy for this type of lymphoma.
What are the two forms of feline lymphoma?
High grade (large cell) lymphoma, low grade (small cell) lymphoma
These forms differ significantly in prognosis and treatment approaches.
What is the prognosis for untreated high-grade feline lymphoma?
4 weeks after diagnosis
Without treatment, the prognosis is very poor.
What is the typical duration of remission for high-grade lymphoma with treatment?
6-9 months
Multidrug protocols are commonly used to achieve this duration.
What is the expected remission rate for chemotherapy in feline lymphoma?
CR usually 50-75%
Partial response (PR) can also improve quality of life.
What is the risk of renal toxicity associated with doxorubicin treatment?
Can lead to chronic renal failure (CRF)
Renal function should be monitored closely during treatment.
What should be avoided prior to chemotherapy due to potential resistance?
Steroid therapy
Steroids can induce resistance and shorten remission and overall survival.
What is a common treatment for lymphocytic leukemia?
Chlorambucil and prednisolone
This combination is often effective for chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
